SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) '1 J ,JUl Tl.\ 9 :19 ""'r' SENATE : 1 , Senate Bill No. 970 .~_ , INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XIV, Sec. 17 of the 1987 Constitution States that: "The State shall recognize, respect and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions and institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies. It is therefore, explicit that the State is mandated to establish, maintain, and ensure adequate social services in the field of education, health, housing, employment welfare and social security to guarantee the enjoyment by the Filipino people, irrespective of color or creed, of a decent standard of living. The national tribal communities continue to live in the same manner they used to be in the past We find the various regions of the country with little visible substantial changes in their standards of living. The benefits of improved health care and housing seem to be negligible in the minority areas and no appreciable improvement can be seen especially with the unstable peace and order prevailing in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras. This bill seeks to establish Pilot Tribal Communities and/or Housing Projects in each and every region in the Philippines, including Metro Manila, which shall serves as model human settlements that will adhere or comfort to their cultures and traditions. At the same time, it shall provide the basic convenience of modern living such as health, education, livelihood and recreational facilities. Under this proposed measure, it is believed that the introduction or establishment of these human settlements the tribal minorities, both Christian and Muslims, will no longer feel that they neglected and the resultant benefits would be better understanding and harmony among all Filipinos of diverse religious beliefs. In view of the foregoing considerations, early approval of this bill is earnestly requested. Senator

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